Pray for the Dead and Fight for the Living! Those words are attributed to the great labor organizer and activist, Mother Jones. On April 28, 2018, we will renew our fight for safe jobs in our workplaces.
April 28th of each year is known as Workers’ Memorial Day – a day to remember those who have lost their lives, suffered injuries, or occupational illnesses on the job. This is also the day that together we let the Post Office know we will Stand Up for Safe Jobs!
The Post Office is a dangerous place to work. Based just on the accidents and injuries reported, the Postal Service is the most dangerous government agency to work for (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). More of our sisters and brothers are injured at work than at nearly all other federal agencies combined.
Always be cognizant that you could be the next statistic for the Postal Service if you get hurt! You go to work to earn a living, not to get injured or die.
You have the right to a safe work place and to return home every day in one piece. We encourage you to enforce your safety rights through the Union by acting together with your co-workers, by filling out PS Form 1767s, filing grievances, signing petitions and speaking up! And avoid buying into management plans, like the “Safety Ambassador” program, which are set up to pit worker against worker and bypass your union and union involvement as the most effective path of addressing safety concerns.
Let’s not have another post office named after a worker killed on the job. Join your union brothers and sisters around the world on April 28, 2018 and Stand Up for Safe Jobs – a Right of Every Worker!
–Vance Zimmerman, Industrial Relations Director
American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
–Mark Dimondstein, President
American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO